A Philosophical Study of the Contrasts Between Buddha’s Madhyamya Prathipadha and Aristotle’s Middle Path

Abstract

The Dharma preached by the Buddha dates back 2600 years. But it is a religion that is eternal for all three times: past, present, and future. It can be called the Madhyama Prathipadha or Noble Eightfold Path Preached by the Buddha as the Root of the Dharma. This sermon is a dharma taught to the first five monks in the first sermon of the Buddha, the Damask Pewathum Sutra sermon. In order to free the world beings from suffering, they should follow the middle path. The two extremes mentioned in the Buddha’s Dharma are the Kamasukallikanu yoga and the Atthakilamathanu yoga. The facts of the Noble Eightfold Path show that it is desirable to avoid the two extremes of Excessive sorrow and excessive pleasure and follow the middle path. Aristotle presents a view Similar to that of the Buddha. Aristotelian Philosophy discusses the Seven Virtues of the Middle. The Aristotelian Middle suggests that nothing should go to extremes. According to Aristotle, the middle path of virtue lies between two extremes. Aristotle uses the word ‘middle’ to indicate something between two extremes. It lies between the two extremes of prodigality and avarice. Also, humility is a good quality, but it has two extremes. One extreme is being too humble, and the other extreme is being too proud. Also, various scholars present different opinions about some discrepancies between these two concepts. Accordingly, for the purpose of data collection, the comparative study method under the descriptive research method is used to identify the discrepancies between Aristotle’s Middle and Buddha’s middle practice. The Differences are expected to be discussed through this study.